School is right around the corner, but August brings just a few more summer weekends to enjoy all the art, music and festivals Indianapolis has to offer.
August’s First Friday is jam packed with free concerts, food festivals, art exhibitions and even the opening of the 167th Indiana State Fair. The Indianapolis Recorder put together a list of just a few events and activities going on in This Weekend in the Arts.
Friday, Aug. 2
Art & Soul Night in The Alley
The Cabaret, 924 N. Pennsylvania St.
7-8:15 p.m.
Free
Allison Victoria, Dexter Clardy and jus Will are set to perform for an evening of Art & Soul’s featured artists and alumni. The vibe for the night is R&B, funk, soul, pop and spoken word poetry, and guests are invited to view the First Friday gallery exhibition at Gallery 924 before or after the show. A full bar and menu will be available through The Jazz Kitchen.
Everybody’s Favorite BBQ & Hot Sauce Festival – Blues Fest
MacAllister Amphitheatre, Garfield Park, 2425 Conservatory Dr.
7-10 p.m. (Recurring through Aug. 4)
General admission $10 donation
Everybody’s Favorite BBQ & Hot Sauce Festival is coming to Indianapolis. Featuring a weekend full of blues, jazz, country and rock music, the festival includes a variety of BBQ, Caribbean soul food, seafood, deserts and assorted drinks as well as arts and crafts, a photo booth and business vendors to shop from.
everybodysfavoritefestival.com
Outdoor Screening: The Lego Movie at White River State Park
Indiana State Museum Lawn, White River State Park, 801 W. Washington St.
8-11 p.m.
$5
In partnership with Indy Film Fest, White River State Park is hosting an outdoor screening of The Lego Movie. The film begins at dusk, all seating is first come, first served and bottle drinks, beer, wine and concessions will be for sale through the Indiana State Museum IMAX Theatre.
whiteriverstatepark.org/event/community-movie-night
Saturday, Aug. 3
A Soulful Night with Kelly Price
Martin University, 2186 N. Sherman Dr.
5-10 p.m.
$30-$600
“The CAGI Cabaret,” hosted by The Community Action of Greater Indianapolis (CAGI), returns this year with recording artist Kelly Price and local artists Bashiri Asad and Jerome Saxton. Guests will be treated to an evening of incredible music, soul food and a cocktail social.
BLQ+ Pride Summer Fest
Monument Circle, Downtown Indianapolis
2-7 p.m.
Free
Indiana Pride of Color is celebrating community and the beauty and power of Black Pride through a festival in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. Guests can expect a day full of surprises and festivities alongside live music and performances, local business vendors and food trucks.
Weekend with Bluey
Victory Field, 501 W. Maryland St.
7:05 p.m. (Recurring through Aug. 4)
$13-$32
Victory Field is hosting Bluey and her little sister Bingo for the weekend as the Indianapolis Indians take on the Toledo Mud Hens. The heeler sisters will be giving away hugs and photos with kids, and on Sunday, Aug. 4, children 14 years and younger will get a free hot dog, bag of chips and a Capri Sun juice pouch with admission as part of the Kids Eat Free Sundays deal.
milb.com/indianapolis/tickets/bluey
Sunday Aug. 4
Art & Soul Sundays: Penny English
Indianapolis Artsgarden, 110 W. Washington St.
3-4:30 p.m.
Free
What originally started as a Black History Month celebration is now year-round. This Sunday, multifaceted artist Penny English aims to transform the intimate space at the Indianapolis Artsgarden with just a guitar and cello, showing audiences the versatility of Black culture through a blend of soul, rock, hip-hop, R&B, reggae and country.
indyarts.org/event/art-soul-sundays-penny-english
Indiana State Fair
Indiana State Fair Ground, 1202 E. 38th St.
9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Recurring through Aug. 18; closed Mondays)
$13; free for children under 5
This year’s theme is the Art & Nature of Fun, presented by Newfields, and features a variety of art and entertainment such as Celtic Motion Irish Dancers, family-friendly movies at the outdoor theatre, Indiana State Museum Nature Portraits and Gladys Knight on the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage.
indianastatefair.com/p/state-fair
Mandela: The Official Exhibition
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, 3000 N. Meridian St.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Recurring through Jan. 20, 2025)
$29.75-$31.25
The new exhibition invites guests to interact with the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela. Recommended for children ages 12 and up, the exhibition covers Mandela’s accomplishments as a freedom fighter, president and humanitarian as well as the people and places that shaped him from childhood to his adult life as a lawyer, political prisoner and world leader.
childrensmuseum.org/exhibits/mandela
Please note: Admission and ticket prices listed are general and before taxes/fees.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx. Visit our homepage for more news.
